Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hello everyone. What a great site this is. Certainly full of great information and helpful people.
I tried using the dealer locator on Simplicity's web site and it does not list Canada in the country drop down list. I've never seen Simplicity snow blowers in Ontario and I am wondering, are there any dealers in this neck of the woods?
I haven't heard back from Simplicity themselves yet.

borat wrote:
I was going to consider the L1226E. Is it  the same as the 9528?
Not too big and not too small. Thanks borat!

Krank wrote:

No.  Not the same as the 9528.  A 9528 has the 305cc 9.5 (going on 11.5) h.p. engine and a 28" width.  Not sure but I think the one you're looking at has the 248cc engine and will be missing a few convenience features.  Otherwise, looks like a rugged machine.  Here's a link to look at the specs.

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/products/snowthrowers/large_frame/specs/index.cfm

So yours would be the equivalent of the L1428E?

Krank wrote:

Yes.  Here it is with the snow cab & chute liner, deflector modifications and another pic of the machine in action.   

If you're interested in Simplicity you might want to check out the John Deere 1130SE
as it's made by Simplicity but appears to have a differential, and limited slip at that
since they say it locks automatically.   This is something not available on the regular
Simplicities.   And the John Deere paint job is pretty cool.

Paul

borat wrote:
Nice pics borat.
Are you in Thunder Bay?

I don't see a differential on the list of JD 1130SE features.  It actually specifies a friction wheel/disk drive.  Other than the paint job and being $150.00 less than the listed Simplicity price, looks pretty much identical. 

Here's the list I got from the JD site:

 

Powerful 4-cycle OHV Briggs and Stratton Snow Series MAX engine with 15.50 ft-lbs gross torque power 30-inch clearing width Free hand control for easy chute rotation Push button 110V electric start standard Recoil start with large mitten grip Easy Steer® drive system giving continuous power to both wheels and auto speed adjustment Friction disk drive with 6 forward/2 reverse speeds Aluminized Super Lo-Tone muffler for reduced noise Cast iron gear case Steel auger with serrated flighting Deluxe console and handlebar design Large chute opening for increased snow capacity Remote chute rotation with 200-degree turning radius in only 10 turns Remote chute deflector Heavy duty embossed auger housing Heated handgrips with two settings Offset halogen headlight for better visibility Drift cutters standard Heat-treated, reversible skid shoes 4-quart fuel tank Throttle control Fresh Start® fuel cap standard 16-inch by 6.5-inch X-Trac tires 2-year consumer warranty, 90-day commercial warranty Includes tool box and clear out brush This product is CARB compliant The John Deere Promise is not available on this product

List price: $1,549.00* (U.S.)

borat wrote:
Well, there not.  Both the brochure here :

   http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/media/pdfs/jd_snowthrowers_brochure_eng.pdf

and the parts manual, that I can no longer find but was referred to here
recently, clearly show an object that looks very much like a differential.
They call it a clutch of some sort I think.   John Deere calls this system
Easy-Steer and says that the axle lock is automatic.  The steering
system on Simplicities and the other John Deeres are called Easy-Turn.

Paul

I checked out the brochure and now see what you're talking about.  I was confusing Easy Steer with Easy Turn.   Funny that Simplicity have never shown that feature on their spec sheets?  Nor have I heard of a Simplicity snow thrower with that feature.   Have to wonder what that's about?  One would think that an attractive feature like that would be on their own machines.  And to think, you get it for less money on the JD. 

I feel the world converging on the John Deere 1130DE as the choice for best snowblower of
2008-2009.  With maybe the Ariens 9526 DLET as a close contender.  Impossible to tell how
long they'll last, they're pretty similar construction-wise (for instance they both have the same
number of bearings, though not exactly in the same places) and each have pluses and minuses.

I guess I should add that neither machine fits my requirements and that I'm basing my comment
on interesting visible features and feedback from those that own them.

Paul